Ashley Graham calls for body diversity on the Victoria's Secret runway

November 21, 2017

<p>We love Ashley Graham for keeping it real on Instagram and one of her latest posts is no exception. Now that the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is filmed and banked for a Nov. 28 airdate, the model posted a photo of herself with photoshopped angel wings with the caption, “Got my wings! .. my #AdditionElle wings! #thickthighssavelives.”
<p>Her post serves as a not-so-subtle hint to Victoria’s Secret that they need to add even more diversity (read: more representation of <i>real</i> women and bodies) to their show and campaigns. They definitely stepped it up by including more women of colour this year, but they still have a long way to go when it comes to body inclusivity.
<p>We suggest VS uses designers like Addition Elle, Christian Siriano and Canadian Lesley Hampton as examples of brands that are killing it when it comes to inclusivity.
<p>Here, we’ve rounded up several extremely talented plus-size models who, like Ashley Graham, would slay the Victoria’s Secret catwalk. We’re crossing our fingers that these curvy ladies get a spot in the 2018 show. <i>-- By Erinn Stewart and Meaghan Wray</i>
<p>Photo: instagram.com/theashleygraham

We love Ashley Graham for keeping it real on Instagram and one of her latest posts is no exception. Now that the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is filmed and banked for a Nov. 28 airdate, the model posted a photo of herself with photoshopped angel wings with the caption, “Got my wings! .. my #AdditionElle wings! #thickthighssavelives.”

Her post serves as a not-so-subtle hint to Victoria’s Secret that they need to add even more diversity (read: more representation of real women and bodies) to their show and campaigns. They definitely stepped it up by including more women of colour this year, but they still have a long way to go when it comes to body inclusivity.

We suggest VS uses designers like Addition Elle, Christian Siriano and Canadian Lesley Hampton as examples of brands that are killing it when it comes to inclusivity.

Here, we’ve rounded up several extremely talented plus-size models who, like Ashley Graham, would slay the Victoria’s Secret catwalk. We’re crossing our fingers that these curvy ladies get a spot in the 2018 show. -- By Erinn Stewart and Meaghan Wray

Photo: instagram.com/theashleygraham

<h2>Marquita Pring</h2>
Since 2011, Marquita has walked for Jean Paul Gaultier and been featured on Vogue Italia's website. Like Ashley Graham, Marquita is outspoken in the fashion world. She told <a href="https://fashionista.com/2011/04/model-marquita-pring-on-why-she-prefers-curvy-to-plus-size-her-dream-gig-and-the-industrys-fascination-with-size"><i>Fashionista</i></a>, "I hate to be categorized. I'm a model. I do many of the same jobs as other models, regardless of their size, race or gender."
<p>Photo: instagram.com/marquitapring

<h2>Candice Huffine</h2>
Candice is a 33-year-old plus-size model hailing from Washington, DC. Currently signed to IMG Models, she's a veteran of the fashion world—but it hasn't always been easy for her. Unlike her counterparts who transitioned from straight to plus size, Candice began in the plus size world and has made quite the name for herself.
<p>Photo: instagram.com/candicehuffine

<h2>Paloma Elsesser</h2>
Paloma is winning the fashion game as a face of Rihanna's beauty line Fenty Beauty and as makeup artist Pat McGrath's muse. But that's not where this 25-year-old's dreams began. Originally, the model moved to the Big Apple to pursue a career in writing, but it didn't take long for her to get noticed in the beauty world. The rest is history!
<p>Photo: instagram.com/palomija

<h2>Saffi Karina</h2>
After being dropped by an agency for being "too big," this curvy model launched a project to help women like herself break into the thin-obsessed world of fashion. The Curve Project London features workshops with fashion photographers, makeup artists and stylist to inspire people to follow their fashion dreams. The 31-year-old has been seen in campaigns for Debenhams, Speedo, John Lewis and Bravissimo, often modelling lingerie and swimwear.
<p>Photo: instagram.com/saffi_karina

<h2>Jordyn Woods</h2>
Jordyn was first noticed as one of Kylie Jenner's best friends, but has carved out a piece of the fashion world just for herself! Like other curve models, Jordyn often speaks out against categorization, "I feel like when you categorize people and put them into a group, then it creates aloneness and segregation," she said to <a href="http://www.eonline.com/ca/news/879295/jordyn-woods-doesn-t-want-to-be-a-plus-sized-model"><i>E! News</i></a>. "There are so many models that it shouldn't really matter. I don't think there should be categories."
https://www.instagram.com/jordynwoods/

<h2>Jocelyn Corona</h2>
Jocelyn is another stunning curve model who has been featured in <i>Sports Illustrated</i>. Hailing from Mexico City, she's taking the fashion world by storm, one campaign at a time!
<p>Photo: instagram.com/ocelyncorona_

<h2>Denise Bidot</h2>
The 31-year-old Floridian has quickly made a name for herself in the fashion community, and attributes much of her success and positive self-image to her mother. Seeing her mom go on diet after diet encouraged her to embrace her body, she told <a href=” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5059983/Denise-Bidot-talks-mother-s-body-image-struggle.html”><i>the Daily Mail</i></a>. Her original dream was to be an actress, which lead her to move to California when she was 18. Now with a daughter of her own, Denise gives new meaning to model mom.
<p>Photo: instagram.com/denisebidot

<h2>Alessandra Garcia-Lorido</h2>
This beauty is more than just the daughter of esteemed actor Andy Garcia. Featured in Lane Bryant's campaign and spotted on the runway for Christian Siriano, the model even finds time to hang out with her close pal Dakota Fanning. She uses her social media influence to encourage her fans to embrace their inner beauty.
<p>Photo: instagram.com/alessandragl

<h2>Precious Lee</h2>
Precious has talked at length about how her identity, as both a woman of colour and a plus size model, has helped shape her career, “Being black and being plus is something that is a rare combo within this industry,” she told <a href=” http://www.elle.com/culture/news/a34110/precious-lee-lane-bryant-sports-illustrated-this-body-campaign/”><i>Elle</i></a>. The model has been featured in Lane Bryant’s body positivity campaign and made waves in the 2016 edition of <i>Sports Illustrated</i>. She’s also close friends with Ashley Graham. #FriendGoals!
<p>Photo: instagram.com/preciousleexoxo

<h2>Iskra Lawrence</h2>
Iskra is a British curve model signed to JAG Models and Models1, and has been featured in many big campaigns for brands like Aerie and American Eagle Outfitters. The supermodel is known for being quite outspoken on her Instagram, and is well-known for the time she called on Instagram models to be more realistic with their poses.
<p>Photo: instagram.com/iskra

<h2>Sabina Karlsson</h2>
This Swedish model has an interesting story. After being scouted at the tender age of four, she grew up in the modelling industry and worked with big names like Jean Paul Gautier and Armani. However, agents began telling her she was too big to cast, which led to her engaging in damaging diets and harsh exercise regimens. Sabina left the industry as a UK size six and returned as a size 12 to continue her career.
<p>Photo: instagram.com/thesabinakarlsson